Newcastle United's interim manager Joe Kinnear yesterday blamed his critics for trying to "drive a wedge" between him and Michael Owen.

Kinnear was angered by suggestions that Owen was upset with his decision to be used as a substitute during the club's last three fixtures with an England international match looming. "People are trying to drive a wedge between us for whatever reason," he said.

"I could have taken the easy option of playing Michael from the start of games but what position would I have been in if he had then broken down? Saturday [against Wigan Athletic] was the sharpest I've seen Michael since I've been here. Before he was struggling for fitness but he's getting better and better."

Owen, who came off the bench to score in the 2-2 draw, has recently recovered from a groin injury and has said he is ready to start games, claiming: "The manager has preferred to bring me gradually back in which is fine, it's his decision."

Kinnear has described the loss for eight weeks of Joey Barton, who suffered knee ligament damage after a challenge with Wigan's Lee Cattermole, as a "body blow". But Barton was quick to absolve Cattermole of any blame. "I am not blaming Lee Cattermole in any way for this injury," he said. "It was a 50-50 ball, we both went for it and these things happen."